The grand design of political parties in Rajasthan to take the aerial route for canvassing has been stalled for the moment. The state election department has clipped their wings even before their plan could take off.
The election department has asked political parties to wait for the Election Commission's (EC's) nod before they take the aerial route for canvassing. "We had received requests for canvassing through air-droppings. We have forwarded the matter to the EC for the final say," Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Lalit Kothari told the Hindustan Times.
The state election department has asked for a postponement in the programmes of the parties which had commissioned aircraft and helicopters for aerial canvassing.
The BJP was to start air-dropping of its publicity material from Friday. "We had decided to drop pamphlets and posters to cover as many constituencies as possible," a BJP official said. Plans to address the voters from the skies were also on the cards, he added.
Now, aircraft and helicopters chartered for the purpose are waiting for the green signal from the EC. Officials of the Rajputana Aviation, which is coordinating aircraft for the BJP, said they were informed of the postponement. "We are providing a Pushpak and a two-seater Cessna for the party. We are coordinating with a Delhi-based firm for helicopters and aircraft," an official of the company said.
{{/usCountry}}Now, aircraft and helicopters chartered for the purpose are waiting for the green signal from the EC. Officials of the Rajputana Aviation, which is coordinating aircraft for the BJP, said they were informed of the postponement. "We are providing a Pushpak and a two-seater Cessna for the party. We are coordinating with a Delhi-based firm for helicopters and aircraft," an official of the company said.
{{/usCountry}}Seeking swift means to reach out to the people, political parties have gone in for two-seater or four-seater aircraft and helicopters. They are also reaching out to the masses through telephones and SMS.
Officials in the election department said the EC reply was expected in a couple of days.
No air show
POLL POLICING
State election department tells political parties to postpone aerial plans and wait for EC order
EC to pronounce its final decision on the issue in a couple of days
BJP HURT
The party was to start air-dropping of its publicity material from Friday. It had also planned to address voters from skies